Justice News

Boston Man Charged for West Bridgewater Bank Robbery

BOSTON - A Boston man was charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with robbing a branch of the Mansfield Bank in West Bridgewater on Nov. 22, 2016.

Stephen D. Williams, 54, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of bank robbery, and was detained following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2017.

According to court documents, on Nov. 22, 2016, an individual, later determined to be Williams, entered a branch of the Mansfield Bank in West Bridgewater. Brandishing a black semi-automatic firearm, Williams approached a teller and demanded money. The teller handed Williams cash, and Williams fled the area in a dark-colored Volkswagen. Bank surveillance cameras recorded images of Williams during the robbery.

On Nov. 23, 2016, law enforcement officers who were familiar with Williams, and the dark-colored Volkswagen, located and arrested Williams at an apartment complex in Brockton. Articles of clothing consistent with the clothing Williams had worn during the robbery were also recovered.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; West Bridgewater Police Chief Victor R. Flaherty, Jr.; Brockton Police Chief John Crowley; and U.S. Marshal John Gibbons of the District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.